2014 White House Christmas Tour

Jan 6, 2015
2 min read

This Christmas I was fortunate to be invited to a special tour of the White House. It was a unique part of my holiday celebration! Every year a Christmas decorating "theme" is chosen. This year's was "A Children's Winter Wonderland."

The White House has a number of Christmas trees each year, both inside and out. The main tree, however, is always featured in the Blue Room. This year, the theme for the tree was "America the Brave." It fittingly honored the branches of our US Military--the Air Force, Marines, Army, Navy and Coast Guard--with approximately 2,000 ornaments!

Everyone looks forward to the annual White House "gingerbread house." Every year it is a bit different, and making it is a huge undertaking. This year's weighed about 300 pounds! The structure is actually crafted elsewhere in the House by the White House pastry chef. When completed, a number of the staff then carefully relocate it to the State Dining Room via a rolling cart. Meanwhile, everyone holds their breath until it is safely in place--and still in one piece!

Among this year's decorations of berries and birds, Scrabble letters and replicas of the First Family dogs, however, was a reminder of the reason for the holiday celebration. It was the large creche--all 44 figures--that have been part of the East Room Christmas decorations for nearly 50 years. It was a welcome reminder of a night so long ago--a night that changed everything.

It was also an appropriate reminder that ours is a nation that has historically relied on the goodness of God. He has blessed us with liberty and freedom unprecedented around the world. May He continue to guide us as we navigate our todays and move toward our future. And may 2015 be a good and prosperous New Year for all of us!

Fun Facts:

The Blue Room's decor is inspired by the song "America the Beautiful."
There are two other rooms on the same floor that are referred to by color. They are the Green Room and the Red Room. Both are smaller 'living rooms" or reception areas to entertain guests.
The White House is often referred to as "the people's house." This is because it is owned and operated by tax monies paid each year by Americans. All the presidents that have occupied it do so to ultimately serve the American public--hence the name "public servants.”
The White House Visitor Center is located across from the White House grounds at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue. It has just had a make-over. It now features interactive exhibits and a short film of some of the history made in the House across the street. Copies of White House paintings are available for purchase at its gift shop. Several, of course, are of former presidents. You can also purchase the annual White House Christmas ornament for your own tree!